In a tense final round battle, he fended off the challenge of England’s Paul Casey, who ended up two shots behind on 13-under.
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But when the TPC Boston was at its most unsafe in 40 miles per hour gusts as Hermine headed out to the Atlantic, he made seven birdies and closed with a 6-under 65 to make up a six-shot deficit and win the Deutsche Bank Championship.
NORTON, Mass. (AP) – A new putting coach. McIlroy made one tweak all on his own, moving his right hand more on top of the grip to make sure the face of the putter didn’t open.
RORY McILROY dramatically overturned a six-shot final-round deficit to win the Deutsche Bank Championship by two strokes from Paul Casey.
“It’s just incredible, this game, how quickly things can change and how quickly things can turn around”.
McIlroy – a four-time major victor – scored five birdies, three of which were hit consecutively, on the front nine before adding another on the 12th.
The win completed a remarkable turnaround for McIlroy, who had got off to a disastrous start in his opening round on Friday to be four over par after his first three holes.
“It’s nice to get that first win in the States this year and hopefully I can take this momentum into the next couple of weeks and ultimately the Ryder Cup”.
On the 14th hole, Casey was preparing to address a almost 42-foot birdie putt when the whipping wind forced to him stop and let out a “Wow” at the gusty conditions. His birdie try rolled past the hole, and he missed the par putt.
Casey was bold in defeat and with his reward being jumping 49 spots to 10th on the FedEx Cup standing. Among those who moved into the top 70 was David Hearn of Canada, who came into the week at No. 92. Hearn closed with a 70 and tied for eighth.
Countryman and world No.1 Jason Day shot a 67 to tie for 15th at eight-under, keeping him second in the points race behind Patrick Reed and ahead of Dustin Johnson while McIlroy jumped to fourth. After losing 5.6 strokes putting last week at Bethpage Black, he rebounded this week to gain 5.3 SGP, ranking sixth in the field. 2 and 4 with small putts, adding another short birdie at No. 7 and then rolling in 18- and 10-footers at Nos.
As the wind picked up, no one could stay with him.
“It is fantastic to think how I started this tournament and what was going through my mind after three holes, and then all of a sudden standing here four days later with a trophy”, he said about the bogey and triple that featured in his opening three holes.
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McIlroy was four over after the first three holes of his first round, but his recovery after that poor start was outstanding.
